The Complete Guide to Cleansing Balms for Women Over 50 with Dry Skin
When I first began learning about using a double cleanse method in the evening, I didn’t want to do it. I am typically against adding new steps to my skincare routine because I am lazy at heart. For me, the easier the better.
After I began exploring the reasons and benefits of using a cleansing balm for my dry skin over 50; I was excited to try it. Over time, I find it not only to be really helpful for my skin and reducing redness, but I also enjoy the process.
I find it relaxing and calming. I also like the feeling of getting every single bit of makeup and dirt off my face every night before I apply my anti-aging actives.
What are Cleansing Balms?
Cleansing balms are a type of cleansers that use oils to remove makeup and other impurities from the skin. They can also be used as a moisturizer. The key to using a cleansing balm for women over 50 is to find one the completely melts your makeup, pollutions, and grime off your face. This was you can rest assured that your PM actives are getting a chance to go more deeply into your skin.
Cleansing balms are a type of cleansers that use oils to remove makeup and other impurities from the skin. They can also be used as a moisturizer. Cleansing balms are for those who want an easy, quick way to cleanse their skin without having to rinse off with water after the process.
Cleansing balms are often made with natural ingredients such as coconut oil, olive oil, beeswax and essential oils. These ingredients help keep your skin hydrated while removing dirt and makeup.
What are the Benefits of Using a Cleansing Balm?
The benefits of using a cleansing balm are endless. It provides deep hydration to the skin, removes makeup and leaves the skin feeling soft and supple.
When I use a double cleanse, which is typically part of my nighttime skincare routine, I prefer to use a cleansing balm as the first step. An oily cleansing balm melts away all my makeup. It is great for removing eyebrow gel and pencil, eye makeup, even liquid lipstick or lip stain.
Step One of a Double Cleanse
I rarely wear waterproof mascara because it is difficult to remove, but I like to use a dedicated eye makeup remover before my cleansing balm step just to be certain I get it all over every night. When wearing regular non-waterproof mascara, then cleasing balm usually melts all of it off easily.
If you have dry skin, the main benefit of using a cleansing balm as your first step of a double cleanse is that is doesn’t strip your skin of natural oils and helps protect your skin barrier.
With a cleansing balm for my over 50 skin, I can rely on a gently milking cleanser for my second step and still feel like I have gotten all the makeup, grim, and pollution completely off my face every night.
I love to travel with a cleansing balm instead of a cleansing oil because it is so thick it never spills in my cosmetic bag.
The Best Cleansing Balms For Women Over 50 with Dry Skin
I have tried a lot of different brands of cleansing balms. This biggest differences in them are the ability to emulsify and foam up nicely with water (some don’t), the ability to melt on my face and not leave clumps that I have to work in with my fingers, the additional skin loving ingredients, and the fragrance.
Removing your Makeup Over 50
Also, some are better than others at removing heavy eye makeup and eyebrow color. I haven’t noticed a huge difference in the drugstore vs high end category but I will say some of the high end cleansing balms do a better job at removing my eye makeup.
This allows me to skip the initial process of using a liquid eye makeup remover with a cotton pad to get rid of my mascara.
Most of them do not burn my eyes, but I have noticed that some just feel cleaner, more natural and some smell and feel like artificial chemicals.
Cult Classic Cleansing Balms for women over 50
Banilo Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm Original
This is my top recommendation for cleansing balms for women over 60. It is the original Korean Cult cleansing balm. I have tried around 20 different cleansing balms. I use it every single night. This Banilo remains on my Holy Grail List for a good reason.
Usually I choose the cleanser in the pink jar from Banilo Co. I have also used the one in the yellow jar. It is the nourishing formula with Royal Bee Jelly. I personally cannot tell a difference on my dry skin.
Cleansing Balms are not something that stays on the my face long enought to nourish or restore moisture. But I do notice if they are too stipping of my natural oils because my face feels tight when I rinse it off.
Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Cleansing Balm
I love this cleansing balm. Farmacy is a clean brand. This cleansing balm melts like a dream. It is fragrance free, and feel good on the skin. I found it to be very effective in melting heavy brow makeup. Rinses easily and is a pleasure to use.
This balm is vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free. Skin loving ingredients include Sunglower oil, ginger root oil, turmeric, moringa extract and papaya enzymes. Watch out for the papaya enzymes if you have sensitive skin due to retinol. Paypaya enzyme is an exfoliant.
I use Rx tretinion every night and I did not find this cleansing balm to be stripping, but I don’t leave it on for more than 2-3 minutes – typically less.
The Farmacy Balm is a solid, creamy green balm. I bought mine at sephora but you can find it at QVC and Amazon as well. If you are in the UK they sell it a Boots.
Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm
I couldn’t write an article with recommendations for cleansing balms for women over 60 without mentioning this cult classic product. This started it all for cleansing balms in the USA.
This cleansing balm is an Allure 2021 award winner. I have used this many times over the years. Usually because Clinique often gives a small jar away in their promotional gift with purchase sets.
While it is effective, it just isn’t my favorite. I don’t know why, I guess it is just so bland and boring. But if you need a workhorse cleansing balm that is fragrance free this might be THE ONE for you.
It is a translucent white solid balm. Sold in a purple plastic jar. This product is very travel friendly.
Cleansing Balms to Repair and Protect Your Skin Barrier
If you haven’t yet tried an evening double cleanse, I highly recommend you try it. I think using two gently cleansers every night instead of one harsher cleanser has made a huge difference in reducing redness in my skin.
While I am certainly NOT qualified to give skincare advice, I can only tell you what works for me, I think using a clear gel like facial cleanser was too strong for my post menopausal over 50 skin. Actually, it is closer to over 60 skin now!